This question doesn't really have an answer. A better question would be which is better for your particular grow space/conditions. Long story short, LED vs HID is like Ford vs Chevy. If you have a small space, and heat control will be an issue, LED will work best. If you have more space, and/or the ability to control the heat, then you can use HID lighting. The biggest issue, in this debate ultimately comes down to the lack of ability to compare apples to apples, and oranges to oranges. I mean I have two 240w (advertised) LED lights, but they only draw 120w actual. This makes them 120w lights. They generate the same amount of heat as any 120w device would. But the way they're labeled, you'd think you can compare a 240w LED to a 250 HPS. In reality, my 240w LED, which actually draws 120w is more comparable to a 150w HPS. If you can compare them apples to apples, regarding power, then what's left to consider is the way the light is focused over the growing area. HID lights emit photons in all directions, and use a reflector to "aim" these photons at the plants. LEDs are more directional, but use lenses to disperse over a wider area, or focus on a more narrow area. Ultimately, it's personal opinion. A true professional quality LED is about $2k: California Lightworks - the SolarStorm is about 600w actual and runs $2,000. And a top of the line 600w HPS (ballast, hood, and a Digilux bulb) will run you about $350. Add an extra hundred bucks, for a 1kw version. http://www.monstergardens.com/grow-...shopgreen.tpl&product_id=1168&category_id=157 So initial cost is quite different. But you never have to change bulbs in the LED, where as it will cost about $100 (just for HPS, another $100 for MH) per year to replace your bulbs in an HID system. People will argue that LED lights are cheaper to operate, and put out less heat than HID, but the 800w LED I linked to above is actually about 600w. 600w is 600w. 600w of LED light generates just as much heat, and costs just as much to operate as a 600w HID light. LEDs emit heat in a different area than the HID lights though, and are easier to control. You can get an LED right on top of your plants, where as most HID systems would be too hot to do this. Sorry for not giving you a black and white answer, but it's impossible to. It's all personal preference. It is my opinion that my plants make better buds with HID lighting, than LED (I've had 3 LED grows, and they have all been a bit fluffy, but of excellent quality.) But the reason for this is because I can get 1000w of HID light on my plants for the same cost (in equipment) as my two 120w LED lights. If you want to try some good LEDs for a reasonable price, try Blackstars, by Lighthouse Hydro (search "blackstar led" on ebay). If you want top of the line HID system, try the Micromole ballast from Humboldt Lights, and a Digilux bulb. (Monstergardens.com) Good luck!
It's not like Ford or Chevy. HIDs grow weed much better then LEDs. Most average people can solve the heat issue.
I agree with both. I myself have used both right now running a pretty top of the line LED. Solarstorm 800w with T8 UVB lighting built in. Im getting as good as any HPS user. I own two other LEDs as well...90w UFO and 240w Blackstar. The issue is nearly all the LEDs out there are dramatically under powered running substanded LED Diodes. Mine uses 5 waters. Getting outstanding results so far...but its come at a price. I got this thing half off by signing up for there growers program...half off is 1050 full price is 1999. Either way thats a chunk of change to shell out for a light. You could talk about costs but the whole cost thing reminds me of the gas vs hybrid debate. I drive a Honda Civic that I paid 18k for. gets 32 to 38 mpg. The hybrid costs 24k and gets about 42. Are you really going to use 6k in gas to justify paying more? I would say in about 100% of all cases no. The whole LED saving you money reminds me of that and I never advocate LEDs because of that personally. As for heat sure they generate less heat because 90% of the stupid LEDs people buy are cheap 100-200 watt lights. 100-200 watts of anything doesn't really generate much heat. My Solarstorm generates a TON of heat why? Its a 800 watt LED thats pulling 6 amps. I have a 4 inch inline fan running on Max and its about 80 in it. If I turn the fan off it gets to over 100 degrees. As for cheaper to run...a little but not much. The difference between 1000 watts and the 700 watts it pulls is not that much of a impact on the bill. All in all just another choice out there. THe world is big enough for LEDs and HID lights to coexist.
I own a Solarstorm. There 1050 if you sign up for there growers program and get approved. Thats how much I paid. On a Killawatt it pulls 700watts actual. The cool thing about California Lightworks is there honest about it. There CEO George answers any and all of the emails I have sent him. 95% American parts the other 5% are german parts all assembled by Americans in California. Even there circuit cards are USA made. Interesting insightful interview. California LightWorks Interview with George Mekhtarian | LED Grow Lights Review
I've actually been approved for the growers program, but I'm sticking with HID for my new grow room. I think LED will be able to grow weed equally as well as HID, the problem being that you have to pay $2k for an LED light capable of doing so, when you can get top of the line HID for $500. The problem so far is that manufacturers are over-rating their power consumption and making claims that a 90w UFO can replace a 400w HID. Of course that's not true. That said, we've yet to see an LED that can grow as well as HID. If you're growing in a shoe box under your bed, LED is the way to go. If you're concerned about changing bulbs, and fire hazards, then LED is for you. This is Ford/Chevy for most people. Rumple, your main criteria, like mine, is quality and quantity. I'm not willing to give that up. A lot of people just need a small grow with enough for a personal stash. LED can work well for that. Less fans, less air to vent, less noise (than some HID systems) I think the LED technology is there, but you just have to pay through the nose to get it. The most expensive resource, in growing, is time. You have 8 weeks to yield as much as you can. You can use a 90w UFO, or a 1kw HID lamp, the difference between a couple hundred dollars. But at the end of that two months, it's the difference between ending up with a couple ounces, or a couple pounds. I've grown with LED, but I'm building a closed growing environment using HID lighting just for this reason.
The key is becoming efficient with power in & light energy out. While generally a shotgun approach isn't efficient, it does work, and work very well sometimes. That's how I look at HPS. It may not be the best PAR light, but there's more than enough usable light energy saturating the plants for abundant growth and then some. LED lighting's spectra is tailored for plant growth, and while very efficient, it lacks the raw "quantity" factor of HPS. While you need less light, as the spectra is more efficient, the downside is you also get less light (i.e., penetration, saturation, coverage). The key is to find the "sweet spot". I run an LED grow light (under $500) as my primary, though it produces about 15-20% less, dried/manicured weight than my 600 watt HPS, it does so at LESS power, over 50% less to be precise. I love both methods of artificial grow lighting, there is a place and time for everything. It really depends on what your needs and goals are, as well as being adaptable to changing grow styles/methods. everything is IMHO
I agree on paying through the nose...all up to the grower. Kinda like a Ford Focus will get you where you need to or if you have the cash you can spend whatever. All about choice. As for the comparison of a 90w is a 400w HPS well if you believe that then your a fool. The same people who fall for that fall for anything else. For myself I never bought the Solarstorm with the intention of saving on power. Thats a dumb argument. I never bought it because I hate HID.
Led is ok but one common mistake is people buy led lights with cheap leds in them, the leds are not in fact the high power leds, not 1w/3w modules like they say they are, but actual 0.09 watt calculated, one way to test is finding out how much power it draws the more the better to ovoid being ripped off. Iv grow with both hps and led but an expenisive led array always beats hps hands down. The only disadvantage of led is the cost, hps is very cheap compared to led.
This is very true...why I went for a 5 watt Diode LED. HPS is dirt cheap and you cant beat it really. Everyone looks at LEDs as LEDS vs Whatever. Whys it have to be a competition? Buy what you can afford and what you want. Its your grow not anyone else's.
So Ive really been looking at led lights, is this the best one? California Lightworks Products : SolarStorm
I have 4 Blackstar panels, a Pro-grow and an Area 51 panel... The area 51 panel is much higher quality than the other 5 panels... haven't grown with it yet though...
I think it is but I am biased...I own it and I will not be finding out anytime soon if theres a better one since 1k for the light was enough spending.
I use LED and HPS together and get amazing results. For whatever reason the LED produces more trichomes in my flower tent with it v without it. My veg is 100% LED and my 240w panel out produces my 400w MH for sure without the heat and fan noise. I have flowered with LED and was not too happy so that is why my main source in flower is 600w hps but I also have side t5's and 90w ufo in same area. Why only use one source I say?
Based on what growers for dispensaries say: HID is a whole other league than LEDs. I'm doing my first HID grow this fall season. My last two years were done with a Blackstar 500 LED which broke and cannot be repaired. HIDs, stated by professional MMJ growers, have high protency denser buds that yield way more. I'll be able to varify this by the end of the fall.
<sup>Some great replies and info in this thread.</sup> <sup>Just wanted to mention that the pro's use HID - there must be a reason.</sup>
L-U-M-I-G-R-O-W!!! My partner and I now have 2 Pro650 L.E.D. Lights that use 650Watts/8.5amps and put out the equivalent of 2 1,000Watt HID's EACH!!! For when your ready to stop researching and start growing, PERIOD. Big investment, but bigger and continuous payouts.
My led light cost me 332 shipped and its vetter than all the others mentioned leds make my plants alot more compact tight internodes early flowering finish by about 5 to 7 days the mars 2 is a very good led light sorry everyone paid a little too much Sent from my ADR3010 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
If you can look at your led light and its soothing on the eyes than your led light is garbage if i looked at mine i would be blinded certainly... I can barely stand to stay in the room very long Sent from my ADR3010 using Grasscity Forum mobile app